Processing Methods of Epoxy/Graphite-Based Compounds for PEFC Bipolar Plates Using Different Secondary Fillers

Abstract

Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC) is an environmentally friendly device that generates electricity with zero emissions. A constitutive part of PEFCs is the bipolar plate (BP), which offers mechanical support and distributes its reactant gases. In relation, manufacturing electrically conductive BPs at low cost is needed to position PEFC technology on the market. This work summarizes the processing methods of Epoxy-graphite based compounds in order to get better-synthetized samples. First, the applying of an epoxy-amine matrix composed of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) and aliphatic triglycidyl ether epoxy resins cured with a polyether triamine is presented. Next, two different preparations to obtain high quality expanded graphite focuses on an appropriate graphite exfoliation were evaluated. Subsequently, three processes from graphite-resin compounds synthesis are detailed and analyzed based on Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), electrical conductivity tests, and particle size characterization. Besides, the effect of using different secondary fillers such as Carbon Black (CB), Graphite nanoplatelets (N99), and graphene (GR) is shown, concluding that the greater electrical conductivity is obtained using graphene in low percentages (0.5%), reaching 65.39 s.cm−1. Finally, a functional method of compression and extraction to avoid damage to the specimen is proposed.

Carbon Material-Reinforced Polymer Composites for Bipolar Plates in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

“…Composites of epoxy resin reinforced with two carbon allotropes were investigated in a bid to reduce the graphite content in graphite-reinforced epoxy resin composites [ 94 , 95 , 96 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 ], as presented in Table 6 . The most studied are epoxy resin composites reinforced with graphite–carbon black [ 94 , 95 , 99 , 100 , 101 ]. For instance, epoxy resins (20%) reinforced with various compositions of graphite–carbon black (60:20, 55:25, and 50:30 wt.%) were produced.…”

“…Epoxy resin(60)-Expanded graphite(30)-Carbon black(10) [99] 0.00276Epoxy resin(30)-Expanded graphite(60)-Carbon black(10) [99] 18.5 Epoxy resin(40)-Expanded graphite(59)-Carbon black(1) [99] 37.4 Epoxy resin(60)-Expanded graphite(35)-Carbon black(5) [94] 250 40 Epoxy resin(50)-Expanded graphite(45)-Carbon black(5) Epoxy resin(20)-Graphite(55)-Carbon black(25) [101] 120 14 Epoxy resin(20)-Graphite(50)-Carbon black(30) [101] 55 Epoxy resin(40)-Expanded graphite(59.5)-Carbon black(0.5) [95] 37 Epoxy resin(40)-Expanded graphite(59)-Carbon black(1) [95] 50 Epoxy resin(40)-Expanded graphite(58)-Carbon back(2) [95] 42 Epoxy resin(40)-Expanded graphite(57)-Carbon black(3) [95] 40 Epoxy resin(60)-Expanded graphite(39.9)-Graphene(0.1) [99] 56 Epoxy resin(60)-Expanded graphite(39.5)-Graphene(0.5) resin(97.75)-Carbon fiber(1.25)-MWCNT(1) [98] 95 44 Epoxy resin(98)-Carbon fiber(1.25)-MWCNT(0.75) [98] Epoxy resin(98.25)-Carbon fiber(1.25)-MWCNT(0.5) [98] 59 34 Epoxy resin(98.5)-Carbon fiber(1.25)-MWCNT(0.25) [98] 52 36 Epoxy resin(40)-Expanded graphite(59.5)-Graphene(0.5) [95] 32 Epoxy resin(40)-Expanded graphite(59)-Graphene(1) [95] 37 Epoxy resin(40)-Expanded graphite(58)-Graphene(2) [95] 32.5 Epoxy resin(40)-Expanded graphite(57)-Graphene(3) [95] 31…”

Structure and Properties of Carboxylated Carbon Nanotubes@Expanded Graphite/Polyethersulfone Composite Bipolar Plates for PEM

“…However, because of the poor corrosion resistance of metal BPs compared to graphite BPs, methods such as corrosion-resistant coatings are needed to overcome the degradation of fuel cell durability due to corrosion resistance [ 7 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Composite BPs are usually made using graphite and various resins such as polyimide, epoxy, and other polymers, and have good processability and corrosion resistance [ 13 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. At the same time, composite BPs have better processability than graphite BPs, which can be prepared easily and inexpensively by molding or injection molding [ 28 , 29 ].…”